BUNKER TALK

J. R. Spears Detachment #066 Pensacola, FL Founded January 19th, 1984 by William D. Carter

God Country

Corps

June 2017

MEETINGS

http://pensacolamcleague.com

http://mclfl.org Southeast Division Website:

http://sediv.org

http://mclnational.org

Commandant Chaplain/Visitation Chair Chris Holzworth William Broach cavemanholz@gmail.com jet727@gulftel.com 850-463-2494 251-961-7272

Senior Vice Commandant Admin Officer (S-1)

Rob Fernandez JoAnn Lee w5.usmc@gmail.com joannlee1983@gmail.com 850-712-0210 850-791-7089

Junior Vice Commandant Ops Officer (S-3) Chuck Lea Kenneth Morrow clea56@cox.net good2015year@gmail.com 850-485-8280 850-288-1097

Judge Advocate Logistics Officer (S-4) Tom Fitzgerald Kaci Sloan fitzgerald346@aol.com mrsalismom@gmail.com 850-206-6873 850-400-0165

Junior Past Commandant Webmaster (S-6)

Clifford Zack Ralph Koeniger zaksewski@yahoo.com ralphkoeniger@att.net 850-917-8526 850-725-0034

Adjutant/Newsletter Public Affairs Officer Mark Kilgore Ed Rouse

bingowidower@cox.net erousecpa@bellsouth.net

850-293-7881 850-393-3507

Paymaster Service Officer Ben Sandoval George “Doc” Dodge bensand48@hotmail.com whiteantelope1945@gmail.com 850-572-0554 562-230-2379 Sgt-at-Arms Hiram Johnson 850-453-4521

A Message from the Commandant

Our kick-off to our flagship Heroes Among Us Speaker Series last month was AWESOME beginning with the

reception for our guest speaker Medal of Honor recipient Donald “Doc” Ballard at Grover T’s Restaurant in Milton

on the 24th. The donated chow was delicious and Co-Owners Mike Thomas and Rodger Head were gracious

hosts. The weather cooperated and Doc Ballard gave a splendid talk taking questions from the audience of over

200 at Veterans Memorial Park on the 25th. Doc Ballard did the Classic Muscle Car Raffle drawing with Dean-O

Fournier winning the 1972 Dodge Challenger, Mack Strange winning the $1,000, and Mike Fowler winning the

Autographed Country Fest Fender Guitar. All of the raffle tickets were sold with the proceeds going into our

“Veterans in Need” Fund. My personal thanks to everyone that sold and/or bought tickets!

This month our Heroes Among Us Speaker Series’ theme is “Defensive Perimeter Night” with our own Sergeant

Major Ralph Hyatt, USMC(Ret.), at Pensacola Veterans Memorial Park on Thursday, June 29th beginning at 1800.

Mark your calendars so we have a great showing, and remember to bring a chair.

Also this month, we have the absolute E-A-S-I-E-S-T event for our members to participant in – our “Rock-A-

Thon” fund raiser at Cracker Barrel off Pine Forest Road and I-10 on Sunday, June 11th. All you have to do is show

up and sit in a rocking chair on the “veranda” and open an occasional door. The fun begins at 0800 and runs to

the early afternoon.

We continue the planning for our other two flagship events, the Semper Fi 5K Run in September which is

followed by the MCL Car Show in October. The planning meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at

Goat Lips (2811 Copter Road) beginning at 1400.

I look forward to seeing you at one or more of our events, and at our monthly Detachment meetings. This

continues to be an exciting time for the League; so, please Join the Excitement. As you know, if you invest in

something, you reap the rewards of feeling part of a team.

Semper Fi, Caveman Holzworth, Commandant, CPL J. R. Spears Detachment, Pensacola, Florida

Minutes of the 9 May 2017 Detachment Meeting:

Commandant Holzworth called the meeting to order at 1901 at the National Guard Armory, 8790 Grow Drive, Pensacola, FL. There were 41 members and 4 guests present. Opening ceremonies and rituals were conducted. Commandant Holzworth discussed the upcoming start of the Heroes Among Us (HAU) Speaker Series. There will be a HAU Action Team Meeting on Monday, May 22nd at Goat Lips to go over final arrangements for the first HAU event this season on May 25th. He also mentioned our other two flagship events, the Semper Fi 5K Run on September 9th, and the Car Show on October 21st. Additionally Commandant Holzworth briefly outlined a vision of the future initiative to develop a Service Division as a separate entity with its own IRS Non-Profit designation, defined structure with billet descriptions, and an SOP for processing Veterans in Need requests. The reading of the April Meeting Minutes was waived without objection; and, approved as disseminated in “Bunker Talk” and posted on the Detachment website. The Paymaster’s Report was received subject to audit. MCL has changed the dues renewal procedure, all yearly memberships will now run 1 September to 31 August. To make the transition easier on our members, those with renewals now through August, the Detachment will collect all dues and send one transmittal to MCL HQ in September. The Detachment will cover any late fees incurred by those members during this transition. Also, two new tents were purchased and now they need to have the logos put on them. The cost was less than purchasing through the MCL. Ken Morrow, S-3, discussed all of the events occurring in May, June and July. The planning meetings for the Semper Fi 5K run and the Car show are held at 1400 on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Goat Lips, everyone who is interested are invited to attend. (See “Mark Your Calendar” or the Detachment website). Our next fund raiser is the “Rock-a-Thon” on June 11th which is the easiest participation event of the year. Additionally, there are plans for a social event on June 17th, more to follow. Looking farther ahead, a Project Officer and Action Team are needed for the Marine Corps Ball to be held in November which can be a stand-alone event or in combination with another group as was done last year. Also, “Wreaths Across America” will be December 16th at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Ed Rouse, PAO, gave updates on the raffle for the 1972 Dodge Challenger. To date, there have been 280 Raffle tickets for the car purchased and we need to push the remaining 70 tickets to get sold prior to the drawing at the HAU event on May 25th. Twelve tickets have been sold on-line via our website. There will be a kick-off event Wednesday, May 24th, at Grover T’s Restaurant with free food and a cash bar to honor MOH recipient “Doc” Ballard who is the first 2017 HAU Speaker. He will be in Pensacola for the entire week. So far this year we are $15,000.00 ahead of last year from sponsors, gifts-in-kind, grants, and donations. He moved the HAU financial report be included for the record. Voice vote taken, motion carried. Bob Rivera (for the S-4) stated that the gray Detachment T-shirts have been ordered and should arrive soon. Also, the manager of the Cracker Barrel is looking forward to our “Rock-a-Thon” on Sunday, June 11th. Senior Vice Commandant reported that the sponsor drive for the Car Show (October 21st) will begin in September. Ralph Koeniger, S-6, briefly addressed the Detachment’s website; and, Dave Glassman gave the members an excellent virtual tour of the new website and its various capabilities. Dave Glassman reported on the August 19th brick placement dedication at the Marine Aviation Memorial Bell Tower at Pensacola Veterans Park. Bricks will be laid in memory of the pilots and crews of Vengeance 01, Pegasus 31 & 32, and Blue Angel #6. Hopefully the family members will be in attendance, and League Members will give a good showing. More to follow as details are known. Good of the League: 1) Clifford Zack announced that May 21st is the Young Marines graduation at the VFW in Elberta, AL. Also their Young Marines

Birthday Ball will be held November 4th also at the VFW in Elberta, and everyone is invited and encourage to attend. 2) Dave Glassman briefly introduced his guest, Mr. Robert Donofrio, ARNP, from POEinAction, Inc. who described services available

and rendered through “Helping Others To Help Themselves” (Life Skills Coaching). 3) Dave Glassman reported on the upcoming “Fishing 4 A Hero” Tournament. 4) Bob Burge reported that SgtMaj Ralph Hyatt had his surgery later than expected and is currently in rehab. 5) Ed Schaier introduced prospective members Baron and Kevin Smith (Smith Family Carpets). 6) Mark Kilgore asked the members if anyone else beside himself would be attending the MCL Department of Florida Convention next

month so that the Paymaster can mail off the Delegate Credentials Form and check. Also he showed the full page color ad for the Department Convention Journal that the Principle Staff voted to submit.

7) Ken Morrow led the members in serenading Joann Gossett with “Happy Birthday”.

The 50/50 ($24.00 collected) was won by Chuck Miller ($12.00). Closing ceremonies and rituals were conducted. The meeting was adjourned at 2000.

M. A. Kilgore, Adjutant

Mark Your Calendars {Check Our Website for More Info on Events}

June 2017 Events 11 June – “Rock-A-Thon” (Cracker Barrel) {0800-1400+} 13 June – Detachment Monthly Meeting (National Guard Armory) {1900} 17 June – Social Event (TBA) 18 June – Semper Fi 5K Run & Car Show Meeting (Goat Lips) {1400} 22-25 June – MCL Department of Florida Convention (Orlando/Altamonte Springs Hilton) 29 June – Heroes Among Us – “Defensive Perimeter Night” (Veterans Memorial Park) {1800} July 2017 Events 04 July – “Riverfest” (Milton) {TBA} 11 July – Detachment Monthly Meeting (National Guard Armory) {1900} 16 July – Semper Fi 5K Run & Car Show Meeting (Goat Lips) {1400} 27 July – Heroes Among Us – “Korean War Remembrance Night” (Veterans Memorial Park) {1800}

August 2017 Events 08 August – Detachment Monthly Meeting (National Guard Armory) {1900} 13-19 August – MCL National Convention (Overland Park, KS) 19 August – Marine Aviation Memorial Bell Tower Brick Dedication (Veterans Memorial Park) {TBA} 20 August – Semper Fi 5K Run & Car Show Meeting (Goat Lips) {1400} 31 August – Heroes Among Us – “Marine Aviation Night” (Veterans Memorial Park) {1800}

Classic Muscle Car Raffle Winners…

Heroes Among Us “Kick-Off Reception”

Grover T’s BBQ Restaurant – Hwy 90 in Milton, FL

Heroes Among Us Medal of Honor Night Donald “Doc” Ballard

May 25, 2017

Did You Know. . .

VA Says Veterans May Now Apply in Advance for Burial in a Veterans Cemetery

While most civilian cemeteries have long offered individuals the opportunity to buy a burial plot ahead of time, the VA has required

that the families of veterans must wait to apply for burial until after the veteran has passed away. This policy has added to the stress

families face when a loved one dies, even if the death was anticipated.

Finally, last week the VA announced it has changed its policy and will now allow veterans to apply prior to their deaths for burial in

a veteran’s cemetery.

According to a VA press release, "Interested individuals may submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of

Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery, and supporting documentation, such as a DD Form 214, if readily available, to the VA

National Cemetery Scheduling Office by: toll-free fax at 1-855-840-8299; email to Eligibility.PreNeed@va.gov; or mail to the National

Cemetery Scheduling Office, P.O. Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151”.

"VA will review applications and provide written notice of its determination of eligibility. VA will save determinations and supporting

documentation in an electronic information system to expedite burial arrangements at the time of need. Because laws and personal

circumstances change, upon receipt of a burial request, VA will validate all pre-need determinations in accordance with the laws in

effect at that time."

It was noted that this does not allow veterans to choose a particular plot within the cemetery, but only the cemetery where they

wish to be buried. In addition, this does not apply to Arlington National Cemetery, which is run by the Department of the Army, not

the Department of Veterans Affairs.

As a reminder, eligible individuals are entitled to burial in any open VA national cemetery, opening/closing of the grave, a grave

liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a government-furnished headstone or marker or niche cover, all at no cost to the family.

Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care,

and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran's headstone, at no cost to the family.

Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran.

Veterans are also eligible for a burial flag and may be eligible for a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Information on VA burial

benefits is available from local VA national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov, or by calling VA regional offices

toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at any open VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National

Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) finalized a new rule on 13 January 2017 to consider eight diseases as presumptive for

service connection. This presumptive service connection provides VA disability benefits for veterans who have one of eight diseases

and have served for 30 days or longer (consecutive or nonconsecutive) on permanent or temporary duty at Camp Lejeune, NC

between 1 August 1953 and 31 December 1987. The eight diseases covered under the new rule are: adult leukemia; aplastic anemia

and other myelodysplastic syndromes; bladder cancer; kidney cancer; liver cancer; multiple myeloma; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and

Parkinson's disease.

The rule became effective 14 March 2017 following Congressional review. In accordance, the Marine Corps will mail registrants

pertinent information and updates about the VA's new rule.

Congress granted the VA the authority to prescribe all rules and regulations presumptively connecting a disease to service. We

appreciate efforts by the VA and Congress to support our Marines and their families.

To contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more about health care benefits, please visit

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/, or call (877) 222-8387 (Healthcare), or (800) 827-1000 (Benefits).

The health and welfare of our Marines, Sailors, their families and our civilian workers are top priorities for the Marine Corps. We

continue to work diligently to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the chemicals in drinking water at Camp

Lejeune. For more information about these efforts, or to update your contact information, please see: www.marines.mil/clwater/

or contact the Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water Call Center at (877) 261-9782, or e-mail clwater@usmc.mil. Please share this

information with anyone that may have been at Camp Lejeune between the dates noted and encourage them to register with us.

Sincerely,

The Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water Program

Yearly Dues

For members who pay their dues annually the dues are now $45 for renewals and $52 for new members. The $52 includes the cost of the name tag.

New Members

There is a change in procedure for new members in that they will receive a membership packet when they provide a copy of their DD214. Then they will be sworn in at the following monthly meeting.

PSD ID Card Processing Hours and

Information

ID CARDS and DEERS ISSUES are handled between 0730 HRS and 1600 HRS, Monday through Friday. The Customer Line may be tagged prior to 1600 hrs to accommodate the volume of customers.

Ship’s Store

Members wishing to purchase MCL merchandise, including covers, may do so by contacting the Marine Corps League Ship’s Store at 800-625-1775 or visit www.mcleague.org.

Wreaths Across America

They accept donations year around. Visit their website www.wreaths-across-america.org for further information and consider making a donation to help them continue this outstanding program. The Young Marines of Pensacola are selling wreaths locally for $15 each.

If you require an ID card, you must have 2 forms of identification. In addition, military dependents must be accompanied by the sponsor or have a Power of Attorney for the sponsor AND a DD-1172 signed by the sponsor and an ID Verification Official. Please bring any required documentation needed for the requested service. To assure that your ID CARD and DEERS issues are handled in a timely manner, it is suggested that you make an appointment at the following website:

http://appointments.cac.navy.mil

Please contact our office if you have questions.

PSD Pensacola, Bldg 680 421 Saufley Street, Suite B

850-452-3617

AGE GROUP As of JAN 2014

0 - 35 $500 36 - 50 $400 51 - 64 $300 65 - Over $200

“Rock-A-Thon”

June 11, 2017

0800-????

Cracker Barrel

8050 Lavelle Way

(Off Pine Forest Road & I-10)

Pensacola, FL